Charleston Marathon Supports Arts Education 1/27/2014

Charleston Marathon's Success Benefits the Arts!

The Fourth Annual Charleston Marathon went off without a hitch this past weekend, thanks in no small part to the dedicated staff, teachers, students and community members who came out in droves to participate and lend a helping hand. We are so very proud of all our participating schools and the creative flair they bring to this memorable weekend of events!

All proceeds from marathon events benefit the R. Keith and Deborah C. Summey Youth Endowment for the Arts (YEA), a local non-profit that supports fine arts programming in Charleston County Schools.

In 2013, the Charleston Marathon had roughly 4,000 participants and raised $80,000 for the YEA. This year, over 6,000 runners braved the cold weather on race day, and we anticipate an increase in monies raised that will match this huge jump in participation. These much needed funds are used towards grants for arts programming in CCSD schools.

"The Charleston Marathon continues to grow and get better each year, and this is because of all of the support that the CCSD community has given to the event. I am always awestruck by the amount of personal time and effort that district employees give to help our schools and families. It is a privilege to work with all of you and to serve our students. Thank you for all that you do and thank you for continuing to support the Charleston Marathon."
Jim Braunreuther, Ph.D., Charleston County Fine Arts Learning Specialist

"It has been an extraordinary pleasure watching the Charleston Marathon blossom into the wildly successful event it has become! It is especially rewarding to see the massive collaboration of municipalities, schools, student performers and artists, CCSD staff, businesses, volunteers of all kinds, Youth Marathon runners, arts organizations, parents, spectators and athletes; a collaboration that results in real, measurable classroom outcomes. The funds the Marathon provides to Charleston County Schools, aside from providing the cultural richness of quality Arts experiences, also super charge classroom learning by fortifying ELA, math, social studies and science lessons with lasting, emotionally-charged, standards-based Arts experiences. In a very significant way, the marathon takes the passion, drive, and dedication of thousands of people and makes the Arts come alive for our Charleston County students!"
Zoe Roff, Fine Arts Technician